Fan-Fold Foam Board Long Beach NY

Fan-fold foam board in Long Beach is widely marketed as an easy fix for improving the thermal performance and water resistance of walls when re-siding. But if not applied properly, this option could lead to moisture problems, according to leading building-science experts.

NARI - Long Island, New York, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Qualified Remodeler Top 500

Carroll Gardens(718)855-0825
505 Court StreetBrooklyn, NY

Plant Doctor(516)759-7042
81 Glen Cove AvenueGlen Cove, NY

Woodland Tree Service(516)334-5515
1096 Mirabelle AvenueWestbury, NY

John FredNu Bath Inc.516-779-2963
192 Newtown RoadPlainview, NY

Data Provided by:

Provided By:

Source: REMODELING Magazine Publication date: September 1, 2005

By Clayton DeKorne

Best practice calls for stripping off existing siding, then installing a good weather barrier.

Fan-fold foam board is widely marketed as an easy fix for improving the thermal performance and water resistance of walls when re-siding. But if not applied properly, this option could lead to moisture problems, according to leading building-science experts.

At about ¼-inch-thick, fan-fold foam board adds only R-1 to R-1.5 to the wall system, a negligible insulation improvement. Foil-faced products promise higher R-values, but only when installed with a minimum ¾-inch air space in front of them, an option that requires siding over strapping. According to foam board manufacturers, the advantage of fan-fold is really that the board provides a consistent surface over the old siding, eliminating cracks and crevices that lead to energy-robbing drafts. All manufacturers recommend taping the foam to help stop air leaks and prevent water that gets through the siding from leaking behind the foam.

Photo: Courtesy THE JOURNAL OF LIGHT CONSTRUCTION

Certainly, the foam board provides a smooth working surface for installing new siding, but whether there is a significant improvement in thermal performance is hotly debated. “The danger is that you are putting an impermeable layer over the wall,” explains Steve Easley, a building consultant who specializes in helping building.

The INNOVA 3100 single item alone is believed to account for as much as 20 percent of all OBD2 tool sales in the U.S., according to industry and internal calculations. Equus has doubled its retail customer base and tripled its sales over the past six years, adding a mix of mass merchandise, online, catalog and tool distributors.